Different departments are responsible for implementing the measures in China. In some cases, it is easy to identify who should be responsible for what, but not always. For instance, it is clear that automakers and operators of traffic facilities should provide low-noise products. But agencies managing traffic facilities and property developers often disagree on who should be responsible to install soundproof facilities due to financial concerns.

To govern noise pollution, China adopted the Law on Prevention and Control of Ambient Noise Pollution on October 29, 1996, which became effective on March 1, 1997.

Article 37 of the law states, "Developers of noise-sensitive buildings along existing traffic trunk lines in cities should, according to relevant regulations, set some distance between the buildings and the traffic lines and take measures to alleviate or avoid the impact of traffic noise."

But according to the article immediately preceding it, if traffic facilities are not planned reasonably and fail to leave sufficient distance to buffer noise, then transport agencies should be responsible for erecting noise barriers and taking other measures.

Article 36 says, "If the planned expressways, overhead roads and light rails pass through existing noise-sensitive buildings and may cause noise pollution, noise barriers should be set or other measures should be taken to keep the ambient noise under effective control."

Nonetheless, before the law went into effect in 1997, construction on the Beijing-Tibet Highway had already started. Though some sound-sensitive buildings along the road already existed, noise barriers had not yet been erected.

In recent years, traffic volume on the highway has skyrocketed. After 2008, more and more homeowners complained about road traffic noise, a property manager surnamed Zhang in a community near Qinghe Bridge told the Beijing Morning Post.

The properties Zhang managed were constructed after the completion of the nearby highway. As required, the real estate developer installed sound-insulating windows for rooms facing the highway. Even so, local residents still suffer from noise pollution in outdoor spaces or when they open their windows for ventilation in summer.

Residents requested to have noise barriers installed along the highway, and in response, the Beijing Municipal Environment Protection Bureau sent staff members to inspect the highway. But they found that installing noise barriers along the highway between Shangqing and Xiaoying bridges is unfeasible because there is not enough room for additional soundproof facilities.

As a result, the Beijing Municipal Government published in 2007 a policy on traffic noise prevention and control, which clearly requires real estate developers to leave a proper noise buffering distance and meet relevant standards on noise levels.

"Once traffic noise pollution emerges, it is hard to treat, and sometimes there are absolutely no conditions for treatment", says the Technical Policy for Prevention and Control of Pollution Caused by Ground Traffic Noise issued by the MEP in 2010.

The ministry said that the fundamental way for controlling traffic noise pollution is to prevent it through rational planning.

"If vibration and noise control is not included in long-term planning, the cost of retrofitting soundproof facilities or relocating residents will be astronomical," said Hao Ruyu, Vice President of the Beijing-based Capital University of Business and Economics, who has long been concerned with noise pollution.

Data from the MEP show that, between 2005 and 2010, Beijing invested more than 180 million yuan ($28.57 million) to control traffic noise, benefiting more than 100,000 people.

On April 1, Beijing published a standard on subway noise and vibration control, which stipulates that noise control measures should be taken to protect noise-sensitive buildings within 50 meters of light railways. It says vibration and noise control facilities should be designed, built and put into use simultaneously with new subway lines.

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